Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Features of the spatial distribution of phytoplankton in Nhatrang Bay of the South China Sea during the rainy season

  • Marine Biology
  • Published:
Oceanology Aims and scope

Abstract

The species composition, phytoplankton abundance, and relative yield of the variable fluorescence (F v /F m ) were determined in the mesotrophic Nhatrang Bay in October–November of 2004. The species diversity (250 taxonomic units) and heterogeneity of the phytoplankton structure were high. With respect to the number of species and their abundance, diatoms prevailed. In selected parts of the bay, dinoflagellates dominated. The mean biomass in the water column under 1 m2 (B t ) varied from 2.3 to 64.4 mg C/m3 being 31.0 mg C/m3 on average. The values of B t were the lowest at the stations nearest to the river mouth. Seaward, B t increased. The values of B t increased with depth at some stations and decreased at others. In the surface sea layers, the biomass was lower than that in the underlying waters. The values of F v /F m ranged from 0.10 to 0.64 (at a mean value of 0.49). The lowest values of F v /F m were observed in the area close to the seaport. Over the greater part of the bay, the values of F v /F m were higher than 0.47. Such values are indicative of the relatively high potential photosynthetic activity of the phytoplankton. The abundance and species diversity were higher than those in the dry season (March–April).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. L. V. Ilyash, L. S. Zhitina, and V. D. Fedorov, Phytoplankton of the White Sea (Yanus-K, Moscow, 2003) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  2. L. V. Ilyash, D. N. Matorin, T. I. Kol’tsova, and Ho Hi Sham, “Spatial Distribution and Daily Dynamics of Phytoplankton in Nhatrang Bay of the South China Sea,” Okeanologiya 44(2), 238–248 (2004) [Oceanology 44 (2), 219–229 (2004)].

    Google Scholar 

  3. A. E. Liberman, D. N. Matorin, A. V. Smurov, and L. V. Ilyash, “Phytoplankton of the Southern Part of Nhatrang Bay of the South China Sea during the Dry Season,” in Biotechnology in the Protection and Rehabilitation of the Environment. Trans. International Biotechnological Center of the Moscow State University (FIAN, Moscow, 2003), pp. 116–122 [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  4. D. N. Matorin, P. S. Venediktov, Yu. N. Konev, et al., “Use of a Two-Flash Pulse Submersible Fuorimeter for Determinations of the Photosynthetic Activity of Natural Phytoplankton,” Dokl. Akad. Nauk 350(2), 256–258 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  5. D. N. Matorin, D. V. Vavilin, Yu. N. Konev, et al., “Studies of the Correlation between the Fluorescence Intensity Measured with a Fuorimeter and the Pigment Concentrations in Microalgae,” Vestnik MGU, Ser. 16. Biology. No. 1, 25–28 (1997).

  6. Yu. I. Sorokin, V. S. Tyapkin, and Nguen Tak An, “Primary Production of Phytoplankton in the Coastal Waters of Central Vietnam,” Biol. Moyra, No. 3, 12–17 (1982).

  7. F. P. Chavez and J. R. Toggweiler, “Physical Estimates of Global New Production: The Upwelling Contribution,” in Upwelling in the Ocean: Modern Processes and Ancient Records, Ed. by C. P. Summerhayes et al. (John Willey, N. Y., 1995), pp. 313–320.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Y. L. Chen, H. Chen, D. M. Karl, and M. Takahashi, “Nitrogen Modulates Phytoplankton Growth in Spring in the South China Sea,” Cont. Shelf Res. 24, 527–541 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. K. R. Clarke and R. M. Warwick, Change in Marine Communities: An Approach to Statistical Analysis and Interpretation (Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  10. K. R. Clarke and R. M. Warwick, Change in Marine Communities: An Approach to Statistical Analysis and Interpretation, 2nd Ed. (PRIMER-E Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  11. P. G. Falkowski and J. A. Raven, Aquatic photosynthesis (Blackwell Science, Malden, Massachusetts, 1997).

    Google Scholar 

  12. H. Hillebrand, C. D. Durselen, D. Kirschtel, et al., “Biovolume Calculation for Pelagic and Benthic Microalgae,” J. Physol. 35, 403–424 (1999).

    Google Scholar 

  13. E. M. Hulburt, J. H. Rhyther, and R. R. L. Guillard, “The Phytoplankton of the Sargasso Sea off Bermuda,” J. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer. 25(2), 115–128 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Z. Kolber, J. Zehr, and P. G. Falkowski, “Effects of Growth Irradiance and Nitrogen Limitation on Photosynthetic Energy Conversion in Photosystem II,” Plant Physiol. 88, 923–929 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. K. K. Liu, S. Y. Chao, G. C. Gong, et al., “Monsoon-Forced Chlorophyll Distribution and Primary Production in the South China Sea: Observations and a Numerical Study,” Deep-Sea Res. 49, 1387–1412 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. S. Menden-Deuer and D. J. Lessard, “Carbon to Volume Relationships for Dinoflagellates, Diatoms, and Other Protist Plantkon,” Limnol. Oceanogr. 45, 569–579 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Nguyen Ngoc Lam, “A Quantitative Study of Phytoplankton in Van Phong-Ben Goi Bay, Central Vietnam,” in Proceedings of the Scientific Conference “Bien Dong-2000,” (Nhatrang Institute of Oceanography, Nhatrang, Vietnam, 2000) pp. 173–178.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Nguyen Ngoc Lam, Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, Doan Nhu Hai, and Ho Van The, “Seasonal Variations in the Abundance of Phytoplankton in the Shallow Water of Cua Be River Estuary, Nhatrang Bay, Central Vietnam,” in Collection of Marine Research Works, Vol. 12 (Nhatrang Institute of Oceanography, Nhatrang, 2002), pp. 129–148.

    Google Scholar 

  19. T. J. Smayda, “A Quantitative Analysis of the Phytoplankton of the Gulf of Panama. III. General Ecological Conditions, and the Phytoplankton Dynamics at 8°45′ N, 79°23′ W from November 1954 to May 1957,” Bulletin of Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 11(5), 1–612 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  20. D. J. Sugget, K. Oxborough, N. R. Baker, et al., “Fast Repetition Rate and Pulse Amplitude Modulation Chlorophyll a Fluorescence Measurements for Assessment of Photosynthetic Electron Transport in Marine Phytoplankton,” Eur. J. Phycol. 38, 371–384 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. R. A. Wollast, “Interactions of Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles it Coastal Zone,” in Interactions of C, N, P, and Si Biogeochemical Cycles and Global Change, Ed. by R. A. Wollast et al. (Springer, N.Y., 1993), pp. 127–142.

    Google Scholar 

  22. J. Wu, S. W. Chung, L. S. Wen, et al., “Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorus, Dissolved Iron, and Trichodesmium in the Oligotrophic South China Sea,” Global Biogeochem. Cycles 17, 1008–1021 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. K. Yin, “Monsoonal Influence on Seasonal Variations in Nutrients and Phytoplankton Biomass in Coastal Waters of Hong Kong in the Vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary,” Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 245, 11–122 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. V. Ilyash.

Additional information

Original Russian Text © L.V. Ilyash, D.N. Matorin, 2007, published in Okeanologiya, 2007, Vol. 47, No. 6, pp. 847–856.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ilyash, L.V., Matorin, D.N. Features of the spatial distribution of phytoplankton in Nhatrang Bay of the South China Sea during the rainy season. Oceanology 47, 788–796 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437007060045

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437007060045

Keywords

Navigation